2021-12-01

Region of Queens Municipality Council Briefs

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

NAME FOR UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED PLAY PARK UNDER DISCUSSION

The Region of Queens Municipality (RQM) council members are putting their thinking caps on in an effort to come up with a name for the area's yet-to-be-built Universally Designed Play Park.

PAC Autism Nova Scotia, the fundraising and consultation arm of the project, is recommending to staff and council that the playground be named Etli Militamk Queens Universally Designed Play Park.

"Etli Militamk is Mi'kmaq and the pronunciation is (ed a lee Milly Dumk) and translates to English as 'we are playing here,'" according to council documents.

The organization notes the recommendation is the result of ongoing consultation with Charmaine Stevens, a councillor with the Acadia First Nations who in turn engaged with community elders on the subject.

"Just to see this in writing on the park will be a wonderful acknowledgement of those who were here before us and those that are still an integral part of the community," RQM Mayor Darlene Norman said during the Nov. 23 council meeting.

While all councillors were in favour of the name, since it was just up for discussion at the meeting the item was moved to the following council meeting's agenda for a vote.

"I think this is a very good idea. I really respect how this is playing out," said Councillor Ralph Gidney of the recommendation. "I think this is a great step forward for everybody. This is one of the best things that has happened here for a long time."

RQM entered into an agreement with PAC Autism Nova Scotia Society on April 10, 2019 for the installation of an inclusive playground adjacent to Queens Place Emera Centre.

NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE

Also at the Nov. 23 meeting, council approved the purchase of a new truck for the Engineering and Works Department.

Two area representatives of companies responded to RQM's request for quotes to replace a 2006, 4x4 three-quarter ton end-of-life truck that is deemed to be unsafe and not repairable.

Mosher Motors was the successful bidder with the lowest quote of $58,620.70.

Scheduled replacement of fleet vehicles sees lifespans stretched to 15 service years whereby the piece of equipment is deemed to be at its end of life and no longer capable of safe operation.

The municipality's Engineering and Public Works Department oversees all Region of Queens equipment and vehicles, which are used in such tasks as maintaining parks, trails and streets; operating environmental services such as sewer, water and solid waste management; and for transportation for staff providing building, bylaw and planning department services.

The municipality has a fleet of 19 vehicles utilized by more than 50 employees.

DIAT TEAM COMPLETE

Council members approved a final personnel addition to the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team (DIAT) at their Nov. 23 meeting.

Matthew Adams becomes the 10th and final member of the committee.

The committee "is made up of a variety of people, genders and ages with no council members," explained RQM's mayor during the council meeting.

The committee is led by coordinator Eric Levy, an RQM staff resource employee.